Israel-Gaza-Lebanon updates: IDF orders evacuations in Beirut as huge blast hits city
Over 1,000 people in Lebanon have been killed in the last two weeks.
Israel's Lebanon operation continues as leaders consider their response to Iran's long-range attack on Tuesday, in which hundreds of missiles were fired into the country, according to Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations.
Iran said the unprecedented attack was retaliation for a wave of assassinations carried out by Israel over the last several weeks targeting Hezbollah, including leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Most of the missiles were intercepted, but "several hits were identified, and the damage is being assessed," an Israeli security official said.
Tune in to ABC News Live at 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7, for "Oct 7th: Race to Survive" -- special coverage of the anniversary of the conflict. Veteran correspondent Matt Gutman highlights voices of Israelis and Palestinians impacted by the war and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Key Headlines
IDF preparing 'significant' response to Iran attack
The Israel Defense Forces is preparing for a "significant" response to the unprecedented Iranian attack earlier this week, an Israeli military official told ABC News.
US announces nearly $157M in aid for 'escalating crisis' in Lebanon
The United States will provide almost $157 million in new humanitarian assistance in response to the "escalating crisis" in Lebanon, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Friday.
The funding will support populations in and around Lebanon impacted by fighting between Israel and Hezbollah and other conflicts, he said.
"This funding will address new and existing needs of internally displaced persons and refugee populations inside Lebanon and the communities that host them. The assistance will also support those fleeing to neighboring Syria," Blinken said in a statement.
-ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston
IDF issues evacuation warning for Beirut neighborhood
The Israel Defense Forces issued a new evacuation warning for residents in the Burj al-Barajneh neighborhood of Beirut around midnight local time.
"You are located near Hezbollah facilities and interests, against which the IDF will operate in the near future," the alert stated.
Over 250 British nationals have left Lebanon on chartered flights so far
More than 250 British nationals have left Lebanon on three flights chartered by the government of the United Kingdom this week amid escalating tensions in the region, UK officials said Friday.
A fourth chartered flight is scheduled to leave Beirut on Sunday, the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said.
"There are no more scheduled flights, due to a decrease in demand. However, the situation will be kept under constant review," the office said in a press release.